Isuzu D-Max 2024 review

Last year, Isuzu shocked many pundits when it raced past the horde of other manufacturers in Australia’s congested new car market to become the country’s 10th-best selling brand.

And in a real shock to some long-established players, the Isuzu D-Max ute was Australia’s third-best selling vehicle overall.

Clearly, Isuzu had its finger on the pulse of what Aussies needed and wanted in a new ute – at least in 2023. What local customers want in 2024 and beyond will be different.

What they’ll want of course is ‘more’, of everything really, and you can count on car makers to charge accordingly. But the competition is already heating up.

The still fresh Ford Ranger is not just the best-selling vehicle in Australia, it’s objectively one of the best vehicles in its segment.

The new (left) vs old (right) D-Max

The Volkswagen Amarok is up there, and the new-gen Mitsubishi Triton has now evolved into a bigger and more capable ute – with a price that undercuts the D-Max.

After launching globally in 2019, it’s likely the global third-generation D-Max will continue onto 2027. In an effort to keep its ute relevant, Isuzu has prioritised a litany of small but meaningful changes as a result of customer feedback.

These changes include a slicker multimedia system, significantly better traction control off road (as-tested) and an expanded (and less intrusive) safety suite.

But these small changes, Isuzu says, add up to a comprehensive upgrade that the car maker believes are worth upgrading to if you’re already seated in a pre-facelift model.

Are they right? Let’s find out.

What are the D-Max ’s features and options for the price?

When it comes to D-Max pricing, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. The latest upgrades come at a cost with a price increase of between $500 and $2000 depending on the grade.

The D-Max range consists of the tradie-focused SX along with the more family-friendly LS-M, X-Rider, LS-U, LS-U+ and X-Terrain grades. The D-Max continues to offer both a six-speed manual and automatic transmission option.

The X-Rider was previously a temporary addition to the range and it’s now been made permanent. Based on the LS-M which has now moved to a softer rear suspension